I know Coraline is a children's book, but is for adults as well? I've read all of Neil's other novels and was thinking about reading this one too. But I wasn't sure if it was a book aimed at just a young audience.

Originally posted by Atilla the Honey:I know Coraline is a children's book, but is for adults as well? I've read all of Neil's other novels and was thinking about reading this one too. But I wasn't sure if it was a book aimed at just a young audience.

Neil has often said something to the effect of : "Kids think the book is fun, adults have the crap scared out of them."*

There's a LOT of adults on this board who loved it.

*that is by no means a direct quote. So many words have been replaced that calling it a quote might be subject to libel. But you get the idea.

__________AJGraeme"Why are there ghosts in the kitchen punching each other in the balls?" - Aidan, "Being Human""Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried."- G.K. Chesterton

I loved it. A couple of my friends were quite scared by it. My then four-year-old cousin (who is a nervous kiddy) loved it.

------------------------------You are a Leprechaun. I'm not even sure what you are. Whiskey-soaked reports from your baffling Isle of Ire raise more questions than they answer. Are you a dwarf? Where's your pickax? If you're an elf, why don't you cobble? You'd think with all your gold, you could invest in some land, perhaps a title, and improve your station. Instead, you hide it in meteorologically-determined locations. You're getting killed on inflation, little friend!

I actually had a conversation about it with one of my coworkers. It scared the piss out of both of us XD And she has a daughter, who has very button-like eyes. And does creepy things like line items up in fours. So in some ways this book can make you see things in a different light, if you're an adult =D

-ScrumThe old man in the falafel cart is out to get you. This is your only warning.

TO quote a certain 900 year old time traveler I know; "What's the point of being grown up is you can't act childish sometimes?"

I think that this book is definatly for adults. If I ever get to the age where I don't enjoy this book I hope I get hit by a bus. Many childrens books and films have plenty in them for adults, you just gotta have the right heart.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ You are a Confectioner. Who can take a sunrise and sprinkle it with dew? Actually, that's Bob The Enchanter, two doors down on the left. But you make delectable treats, which is no simple feat considering Oompa Loompas won't be invented for three centuries. Not only do you delight with your sweets, but you've paved the way for a new profession: dentistry!

what about "the day i swapped my dad for two goldfish?" i've never seen the book in a bookstore, so i don't really know what it's about.

Well, it's a lot of fun (at least I thought it was), but it is a picture book, so it's aimed at younger kids than Coraline. When I used to substitute teach, I'd take it with me to 2nd or 3rd grade classes and they enjoyed it. Same thing goes for "The Wolves in the Wall," though I think I read that to some 6th graders who really dug it, too.

____________________________________________________________________"Patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer i beg to submit that it is the first." - Ambrose Bierce----------------------A Good Scoundrel isn't Hard to Find

my bookstore has all of neil's books in the science fiction section, which is where the graphic novels are too.

when i was looking at his books, i noticed terry pratchet's section and got his first book about his "discworld." i hope it's good, like good omens. i thought that book was so funny. the only bad part is if i like it, there's like 20 other books in the series. i might go broke.

I kind of hate the first couple of Discworld books. But that's just me.

I loooove most of the rest of the series though. I think the most recent ones are the best and have developed an underlying profound and serious tone that many of the earlier ones didn't have. Yet despite the more serious tone, the books are still incredibly funny and entertaining.

I'm 23 and it scared the hell out of me too! lol. I mean, I'm not positive if this applies to everyone, but I found the fear in Coraline to be generated by our own inferences and perceptions which is why is transmutes from a fantasy for children to a really spooky tale for adults. I could be totally wrong, but it's just how I see it :S lol